Automatic firearm.



J. J. REIFGRABER.

Patented July 27, 1909.

B-BEEBTB-BHEET 1.

WITNESSES I v U INVENTOH .J DSEPH J HE1F BRABEH ATTORNEYS J. J. REIPGRABER.

AUTOMATIC FIREARM. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1907.

Patented July 27, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I -T d ENTOH WITNESSES A TTOHNE VS J. J. REIE'GRABER. 7

AUTOMATIC FIREARM.

I APPLIUATIOR FILE I 4 929,491. D m 26 Patented July 27,1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3,

ATTORNEYS J. J. REIFGRABBR. AUTOMATIC FIREARM. APPLIOATIQN FILED SEPT. 26, 1907.

Patented July 27, 1909.

- WITNESSES I J fllwEgErfifiEfl f6 USEPH Em A TTOHNE YS orrsn sTATEs PATENT entries. I

, JOSEPH JOli-OHIM REIFGRABEF, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

AUTOMATIC FIREARM.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosnPH Jo'AonIM REIF GRABER, a citizen of the United States, and a residentof St. Louis, Missouri, have inlowing is a specification.

vented certain new and useful Improvements 1 in Automatic Firearms, of which the fol- This invention is an improvement in fire arms of the automatic class, such for in-' stance,'as illustrated in my former patents No. 729,413, issued May 26, 1903 and No. 834,7 53, issued Oct. 30, 1906, and the present invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinations ofgparts, as; will be hereinafter described and claimed.

Inthe drawings Figure 1 is a side view v of the fire-arm. Fig. 2 is a'vertical longito force thesliding barrel, breech block, etc? tudinal section thereof, parts being in firing position. Fig. '3 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the parts in fired position just before the bullet leaves the'muzzle of the arm, and before the gases have operated rearwardly, and the casing forward. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of thearm with the parts in position to receive a cartridge from the magazineand' the breech block in its rearmost position. Fig. 5 is a horizontal longitudinal section of the arm' withits parts in the position they assume after'the firing operation and immediately after a shell has been ejected. Fig. 6 isa horizontal longitudinal section of the arm with the parts .in

, the position shownin Fig. 4, except that the .breech block has moved forward. Fig. 7 is a l side View partly in section of the gun with the breech block in its rea rmost position and the/safety lever in safety position. Fig. 8

' is a partial vertical longitudinal section of the fire arm showing aportion of thesafety lever, a portion of the casing and the back plug in position and illustrating the cross-pin for connecting thedivided rear end of'the casing in positionto permit the application and removal of. \he safety lever. Fig. 9' illustrates. the rear portion of the casing in vertical longitudinal section andthe back plug detached, the cross-pin and its lever being in the position'to which it is' adjusted to release or .free the divided rear end of the casing so the back plug can be applied or removed. Fig. 10 is an elevation of the inner end of the back plug. Fig. 11 is adetail side elevation of the rear portion of the fire arm from the opposite side from Fig. 1 showingthe. handle portion'of thev Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented July 27, 1909 r Application filed September 26, 1907. Serial No. 394,739.

cross-pin in the position it occupies when the jaws of the casing are drawn together and the pin adjusted to hold the safety lever. Fig. 12 is a vertical cross-section of the divided end of the casing on aboutlinc 12--12 of 9. Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the sliding barrel and of the latch for securing the, same i-n engagement with the breech block, the latch being detached from the barrel. Fig. 14 is a detail perspective'view of the safety lever with hammer,

sear and springs applied. Fig. 15 is a crosssection on about line 1515 of Flg. 3. Fig.4

16 is a detail vertical longitudinal section on about line 1616 of Fig. 5. Fig. 17 is a cross-section on about line 17-17 of Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a rear elevation of the magazine with the followerblock in its extreme and removing said plate. Fig. 24 is a detail section of the lower portion of the magaz ne casing showing the undercut openings. for

the'lateral projections on the bottom plate,

and Fig. 25 is a detail view of the bottom plate showing the lateral projections.

The present arm is similar in many respects to that. shown in my prior patent No. 834,753 and in the following description I shall, in part at least, identify the parts inthe present invention by the same reference letters or characters applied to the corresponding parts of the construction shown in my said prior patent. In'the present invention the casing A receives the sliding barrel D and the latter is interlocked during a portion of its rearward movement with the breech block I, the latter having a rearward.

movement beyond that ofthe sliding barrel and the breech block during such further rearward movement operatingto cook the hammer, the latter being carried in a movable safety lever all as more fully described hereinafter. It will also be noticed that when the hammer is down the safety lever cannot move to its released position, thus indicating by sight and touch that the ham mer is down and when the hammer is down the side lock T cannot be moved to its dotted line position.

The casing or frame A supports the several movable parts and comprises a barrel portion A, a body portion A in rear of the barrel portion, and a handle portion A. The barrel portion is provided at its front end with.an inwardly pro'ecting annular flange A at the center 0 w ich is provided the opening A in which operates the front end of the sliding barrel resently described. The interior of the barre portion A immediately in rear of the flange A forms a cylinder A in which operates the as whieh pushes back the sliding barrel in t e operation of the fire arm. The pressure also operates forwardly against the flange A and thus in a measure counteracts the recoil. It will be noticed that the sliding barrel at its front end has a portion fitting the venting opening A in the flange A and also has in advance of said fitting ortion areduced extension A. This enab es me to provide any desired length of barrel in advance of the casing and yet secure the desired venting of the cylinder without increasing the length of the stroke of the sliding barrel on its rearward movement. The body portion A is provided in its op osite sides with openings A and A in WllCh operate the gripping side win 5 of the longitudinally movable breech b ock and in rear of the slots A and A the body portion is provided with laterally bulging portions A which form guides or reoe tacles for the gripping side wings of the reech block when the breech block is moved'to itsrearmost position. The rear end of the casing is provided with interru ted threads, the ortion' A" and the groove interrupting t e threads A which threads receive the interru ted threads on the back plug B when the atter is in sorted and turned to place.

The back plug B is provided at its rear end with the handle portion B by which it may be turned to set its threads into and out of engagement with those of the caslng, and it is provided in its front end with a recess B whose upperwall at B forms a cam bearing to operate upon the rear end of the rocking latch C, which forms a detachable connection between the breech block and the sliding barrel as more fully described hereinafter. The purpose of the cam bearing B is to shift the latch C which latter is carried by the sl-idin barrel out of engagement with the breech b ock at the proper time so the breech block may be moved'rearwardly indeendent of the sliding barrel after the latter iias reached its rearmost position.

The rear end of the body portion A of the casing is split or divided at its lower end forming the'opposite jaws which are connected by the cross pin Q having a handle Q and journaled at one end at Q in one of the jaws of the plug-holding portion of the casing and having its other end turning in the threaded bearing at Q in the opposite jaw so that by properly turning the pin Q the jaws may be drawn". toward each other to clamp the back plug and thus lock the same in place or be turned in the opposite direction to release the jaws so the back plug may be readily turned intoor out of its seat in the rear of the casing, as may be desired. The threaded bearing for the cross pin Q may have a removable nut as shown so it can be readily replaced when worn, a set screw holding the nut as shown and permitting the adjustment of the nut. The pin Q also serves another'function in that it forms a pivotal support for the safety lever P when turned to the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and when given a quarter turn permit-s the removal and application of the safety lever. To this end the safety lever is provided in its 'upper edge near its rear end with an opening Q, receiving the cross pin "sage of the flattened pin Q. when the latter is given a quarter turn from the position shown inFigs. 2, 3 and 4. The safety lever is provided with an extension P in rear of the opening Q and which prevents any displacement of the safety lever when the pin Q, is in the position shown in Fig. 2 by preventing the rocking of the lever to such position that the pin A can escape through the contracted opening Q. It will be understood from the foregoing that the pin Q may be given a quarter turn from the position shown in Fig. 2, to permit the removal and application of the, safety lever and may be then given a further quarter turn in order to release the jaws of the casing sufficiently to free the back plug and permit the same to be turned in order to remove it, as may be desired.

The barrel D is movable longitudinally in the frame and is constructed with the front portion or barrel D and the rear extension or receiver D the latter projecting rearwardly from the upper side of the barrel and overlying the breech block I, which latter has a limited movement'with and a further movement independent of the sliding barrel, as more fully described hereinafter. This rear extension D is slotted at D to ,receive the latch C and has a cross pin D on which the latch C rocks. This latch C fits partially shoulder C toengage upon the rear end of I the breech block I when the parts are in the casing whereby it may be depressed art-its front end to-theposition shown in Fl". 2 b

the forward movement of the barrel with the latch thereon. The rear end of the latch at D- is adapted by engagement with the bearing B- in the back plug to rock the latch from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the sliding barrel. latch by the form of pivot shown and dc"- position shown in Fig. 4- when the parts are .in the position shown in said Fig. 4, and thus release the breech bl'ockso the latter may continue its rearward movement beyond the ,correspomling movement of the It will .be noticed that the scribed is conveniently detachable from the sliding barrel when the latter is removed from the casing and may be removed and,

C adjusts when the barrel is in its real-most position and the breech block is freed from said barrel by such adjustment of the latch and asthe'barrel moves forward by the'tor- ;the inner wallgo f the cylinder ward movement of the breech block pres ently. described it operates to adjust the latch C from the position shown in Fig. 4- to that shown 1n Fig. 2 in which the said .latch will hold the breech block in connection with the sliding barrel until the latter hasagainreadjusted to its rearmost posi tion in the operation of the invention.

In I the operation before described, it will be understood the barrel 1s forced rearwa rdly, and the breech block with it-by the the front flange A and a piston 1) secured upon the barrel and seated at its rear side against a forwardly facing shoulder.

D 'on the barrel. This piston D is reeessed or cupped in its front face for a considerable depth forming a thin outer ring which wi ll be expanded by the pressure of .the gas against the interior of the cylinder A and thus avoid the necessity of separate packing and will also operate to protect vent to a considerable extent the corrosion thereof by the action of the gas. "The gas passing to the cylinder A when the parts are in the position shown in Fig.2 will operate to force the; sliding barrel rearwardly= and the latter carrying with itthe breech block will be adjusted to the position shown in l ig. 4, the breech block'eontinuing its rearward movement to the position shown in Fig. 4-. .To prevent the reboundi ng of the-sliding barrel and its readjustment, in advance of the forward movement of thebreeeh block-from the position'shown in Fig. 4 to that shown'in Fig. 2, I provide the barrel lock J which when the :arts are barrel against forward movement ant is I adapted to hold the barrel against the 'for-' ward movement until the said barrel lock is released -by the action of the bree'ch bloek, when the latter reaches its foremost'position. This barrel lock has an important .orother action until the breech block is readjusted into proper relation with the sliding barrel. It. will be understood that if the sliding barrel were permit-ted to move ward, into connection with the sliding barrel, as shown in Fig. 2, the latch C would 'likel y be forced down upon the breech block 1 and bind the same and it .is to avoid any such action that I provide the barrel, lock J. This lock is shown asa lever pivoted between'its ends at J to the sliding barrel, arranged at its'front end J? to engage in rear of the rearwardly facing shoulder J on the casing when the sliding barrel is inits rearmost position and the breech block is also in its rearmost position and the said 'lererhas its rear end. J arranged to be engaged and actuated by the portion J at the front end of the breech bloclc'when the latter reaches its foremost. position, as shown-in Fig. 6 so thebreeeh block when adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 6 will free the front end .of the barrel lock J .the barrel may nioi'e forward under the influence of the breech block, the latter being actuated by its spring as presently described. The barrel lock J is spring aetuatrd at J" from the position shown in Fig.

in the ings.

The hammer N, sear O and springs for operating the hammer, sear and safety lever ,are carried in-the safety lever P, which is pivoted on the cross pin Q, and is also held by said cross pin Q, when the latter is rocked to the position shown in Fig. 2. The extension I of the safety lever limits the rearward or outward movement of the leverand stops the same in the position shown'in Fig. 7, in which Position, the hammer engages with theshoulder I on the under side of thebreechbloek and prevents any foras the safety lever is in. the position shown in Fig.7. However, the safety levermay in the position shown in Fig. 5 ocks thefunction in that it'prevents the forward movement of the barrel by the? rebounding,

forward before the breech block moves forfrom engagement at J with the casing so 6 to that shown in F i 5 when the art-sate V position shown 1n 1 1g. 50f the drawward movement-of-the breech block so long be pressed by the act of gripping the handlefrom the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 2, releasing the breech block so the latter may be moved by its actuating spring forward to the position shown, for instance, in Fig.9. i

The hammer N is pivoted by the cross pin 1" to the side plates P of the safety lever and has the sear shoulder N below which the sear operates and is also provided with the roller N for engagement by the hannner spring.

The scar operates to hold and release the hammer and also acts as an escapement for the trigger. To this end the sear is pivoted midway between its ends so it may be rocked'into and out of engagement with the hammer and is movable longitudinally along its pivot, so itmay be moved down into firing position by the pressure of the hammer, on the sear, the hammer spring. presently described being stronger than the sear spring and the scar also permits the passage of the trigger in the movement of the same to its retracted or firing position. The sear is pivoted on the pin 0 and is slotted at O" for the passage of said pin, the slot being elongated in the direction of length of the sear, so the sear can move longitudinally and also rock in the operation of the device. At its upper end the sear is adapted to hold and release the hammer by engagement with the shoulder or projection N thereof, as shown in Figs. t and 7. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 7 the upper end of the" sear bears directly in rear of a locking pin or portion 1 of the casing. In this position itwill be noticed the sear is locked so that it cannot be rocked on its pivot to release the hammer, the position shown in Fig. 7 being that occupied by the parts when the safety lever P is released from pressure and is forced rearwardly by its spring P presently described. In this position, therefore, the trigger cannot operate to release the hammer, nor can it so oper ate. nor can the hammer be otherwise released until the safety lever is pressed forwardly to the position shown in Figs. 3 and t. This pressing of the safety lever forward throws the upper end of the sear above the locking portion A of the casing to position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, so the sear may operate to release the hammer.

For operating the sear I provide the trigger h having the cross bar S near the rear ends of its side bars S", the trigger being capable of longitudinal movemtmt and also having a limited up and down movement at its rear end.

trigger lock is provided in the casing and comprises a sliding pin which is spring actuated to force its upper end into the path of the barrel and is arranged at its lower end to operate in front of the trigger or in any suitable notches 21 therein. The sliding barrel is recessed at 22 to receive the upper end of the tri ger look when the sliding barrel is forwar as shown in Fig. 2, so the spring 23 will move the lock out of engagement with the trigger. \Vhen, however, the sliding barrel is moved rearwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 it will force the trigger lock downward against the action of the spring 23 and into the path of the trig er to lock the same, as will be understood from the drawings.

The hammer spring N is arranged at its upper end to operate the hammer in the usual manner and has at its lower end the upturned portion N whose free end is held by the cross pin N on the safety lever so the spring N may be conveniently secured and may be released from the safety lever whenever desired without the use of any separate instrument after the hammer has been removed, and the tension of the spring N thereby released.

The safety lever is pressed to its outer or normal position by the spring R which bears between the lower end of the safety lever and the frame and by preference the spring arm for actuating the safety lever, the sear spring R for actuating the sear, and the trigger spring R are made in one piece, as best shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings, to which end the spring plate is fitted ,to form the springs R and R as shown. The trigger spring is preferably made of two side sections and the upper ends of the springs R and R are preferably deflected so that they will exert a forward and upward tension on respectively, the scar and the rear end of the trigger 'in the operation "of the gun, as presently described. In securing the spring R inthe safety lever, the latter is provided at itslower end with the upwardly facing notch in which the lower end of-the spring plate is seated, as best shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings.

At its lower end the sear is provided with the projecting fingers or portions for en gagement by the trigger and these fingers are preferably spaced apart to permit the operation between them of the scar spring 1t which operates upon the sear, as shown in the drawings.

\Vhen the hammer is in firing position its shoulder or projection N pressing upon the upper end of the scar will force the latter downward into position to be engaged by the cross bar S of the trigger S when the latter is pulled. After the trigger 1s pulled and the hammer is down the sear will be forced upward by the actlon of lts spring I and permit the cross bar of the trigger S to escape in the forward or readjusted movement of the trigger, the latter having a limited up and down movement at its rear end to facilitate this escapemcnt action in readvention.

wee

justingihe trigger in the operation of the in- In this operation itwill be understood'the sear is pressed downward by the pressure of the main spring acting through theharnmer so the lower end of the sear-will be in position to be operated by the trigger after the latter is pulled, and when the hamtrigger spring operates to force'the trigger forward'and also to press the rear end of the said trigger upwardly with a yielding action.

The side lock T is arranged to engage with the safety lever and also with the hammer;

as well as with the breech bolt in order to lock the safety lever and the hammer and the breech block when the said side lock is moved from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 to the dotted line position shown in the same figure. This side lock is shown in detail in Fig.- 17, and consists of the outer or gripping plate T, the inwardly projecting plate or wing T which operates in the slot A in the frame A, and the depending wing T, which operates along the inner face of the side plate of the frame and ear ries the inwardly projecting in T which movesinto the slot 25 in the sa ety lever and the slot N in the hammer when the side lock is moved rearwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 and so operates to lock the safety lever and the hammer from movenient. 'hen moved to such dotted line position the side lock also operates upon engagement with. the said block, a spring acting upon the pin 'to force the same normally downward and release the breech block. In this operation an edge or surface T on the side lock, Fig. 16 engages the inclined lower end t of the pin t (see Fig. 16) and as the lock is moved longitudinally forces the pin :3 up, as will be, understood from Fig. 16. The side look not only operates as a lock, but also acts as an indicator to show the operator both by sight and touch when the safety lever and hammer are locked and when such parts are unlocked and ready for action, the side lock'operating thus in connection with the safety lever to indicate go tcllie operator when the gun is ready to be u re The breech block I has the gripping wings II andH' integral with it and the said block is provided witha firing pin K and with an extractor L. The latter is arranged at one side of thecartridge seat and is pivoted at L and has a hook L to engage with the flange on the cartridge shell and is also provided with the arm-L which is perforated at L for the passage of the aide pin E of the spring E. This spring encircles and is guided by the pin E and bears between the arm L of the extractor L and the back 'plu'g B.v The back plug B has an opening B in" which fits the rear end of the guide pin E. and the pin E protrudes through the opening in the arm L of the extractor when the breech plug is pushed back to the osition shown in Fig; 5 and operates to hol the extractor in such position so it will hold the edge of the shell while the ejectorL on'the under side of the rear extension of the sliding barrel and which operatesin a groove -L""' on the upper side of the breech block ejects the shell. In this operation the protruding front end of the pin E being engaged by the shell operates as a deflector for the shell and prevents the latter from being.

thrown back against a person standing alongside the one firing the arm. It will be noticed that the spring E operates directly upon the breech block and between the breech block and the back plug and is also so arranged as to actuate the extractor so the latter may yield as the breech block 7 moves forward to the position shown in Fig.

recess in the handle of the gun. is adapt-ed to receive a number of cartridges and has aspring pressed follower U which forces the cartridges upwardly to feed the latter into the gun. This follower is provided at its rear end with a shoulder or projection U which moves upward into the path of the breech block when the magazine is empty and by engaging with said breech-block prevents the forward movement of the latter when the last cartridge has been ejected from the magazine and fired in the operation of the invention, thus indicating at once to the operator that the magazine ,has dislollower U is provided with the rearwardly projecting finger or thumb piece U,

undercut at U with its undercut portion sliding in a slot U" in the back plate of the magazine and forming a thumb piece by which the follower block may be conveniently pushed down for the insertion of the cartridges. At its lower end the vslot U has charged its last cartridge. At its rear side the an enlarged portion U through which the. x

projection U" may be passed in inserting the ollower block in the magazine casing from the lower end of the latter. The lower end of the'magazine casing is closed by the removable plate U provided with lateral projections U which fit in openings U in the side plates of the magazine casing, the said openings U having contracted outlet slots U through which the projections U" may pass when the plate U is arranged edgewise, as shown in Fig. 23 and then may be turned to the position shown in Figs. 21 and 22 to lock the plate in place, the front end of the plate U bearing when the parts are arranged. as shown in Fig. 7, against the lower end of the front plate of the magazine casing.

From the foregoing description it will be noticed that the gripping plates which are integrai with the breech block are arranged at the opposite sides of the casing and operate in the opposite side openings in the cusing and within the laterally bulging portions A in rear of the lateral openings in the casing and the safety lever which is spring pressed normally to the outer position carries the firing devices and may be depressed in grasping the grip of the arm to bring the firing devices into position for the firing operation.

In operation when the breech block has reached its rearmost position the cartridges maybe fed up from the magazine and the breech block may then move forward with the barrel and the breech block latch will adjust in rear of the breech block and travel therewith and with the barrel forwardly locking the breech block from any rearward movement until the lmrrelhas again been pushed back in position in which the locking latch C may be released to release thethe scope of the invention.

I claim 1. A fire arm comprising a sliding barrel,

a trigger, and a trigger lock operated by the sliding barrel, the portion of the trigger e'ngaging with the lock being movable at an angle to the said lock whereby a pull on the trigger will not cause the lock to bind frictionally against the barreh-the lock being adapted in operation to prevent the pulling of the trigger if the barrel is in rear of its normal position, and also operating to prevent any forward movement ofthe trigger when the barrel is moved rearwardly.

2. The combination in a tire arm with the casing, a trigger and a sliding barrel, of a. trigger lock consisting of a pin movable longitudinally in the casing and arranged to project at one end .into the path of the -trigger will not cause the lock to bind frictionally against the barrel, the lock being,

adapted in operation to prevent the pulling of the trigger if the barrel is in rear of its normal position, and also operating to pre- ,vent any forward movement ofthe trigger when the barrel is moved rearwardly.

3. The combination 1]] a fire arm, of a casing, a trigger, a'trigger lock consisting of a pin'movable in the casing and arrange at one end to engage with the tri ger, and a barrel slidable in the casing an having a recess entered by the trigger lock in one position ofthe barrel, the barrel being movable from such position whereby to actuate .the trigger lock into engagement with the trigger, the portion of the trigger engaging with the lock being movable at an angle to the said lock whereby a pull on the trigger will not cause the lock .to bind frictiona 1y against the barrel, the lock being ada ted in operation to prevent the pull ng o the trigger if the barrel is in rear of its normal position, and also operating to prevent any forward movement of the trigger when the barrel is moved rearwardly.

4. In an automatic fire-arm the combina- 'tion of the casing having a cylinder for evplosion, a barrel reciprocating in the casing, and a cup-shape piston oirsaid barrel within the cylinder and at a point 1n rear of the muzzle of the barrel.

6. The combination of the casing, a slid-v ing barrel having a rear extension provided with a slot, and a pin crossing the same, a L'- breech block sliding with and independently of the barrel, and located in one position under the rear extension of the barrel, and a latch for holding the breech block in connection with the barrel said latch fitting and operating within the slot in the barrel extension and having a notch receiving the cross-pin of such extension whereby to p1votally mount the latch.

7. A fire-arm comprising 'a sliding barrel,

a trigger sliding approximately paralle with the barrel, and a trigger locl: operated by the sliding barrel, the lock being adapted in operation to prevent the pull ng of the trigger if the barrel is in rear 9f its normal position, and also operating to prevent any forward movement of the trigger when the barrel is moved rea'rwardly. 1

8. The combinationof the casing, a sliding barrel, a barrel lock adapted to lock the barrel in its rearmost. positiorr when the breech block is moved rearwardly' beyond the barrel, a breech block engaging and releasing the latch on its forward movement, a latch carried by and movable with the sliding barrel for holdin the breech block in connection with the siding barrel, and means for positively releasing said latch when the barrel and breech block are moved rearwardly. V

9. The combination of the breech block, the ejector, the extractor carried by the breech block, the breech block spring, and,

a guide pin for said spring arranged to'protrude beyond the extractor when the breech block is forced rearwardly whereby the protruding 'end of the pin may operate to deflect an ejected shell. I

10. The combination of the sliding barrel, the breech block operating in connection therewith, the extractor movably connected 1 with the breech block, and a spring'opera-twhereby the same spring mayoperate the yond said pivot and provided with an opening, a spring for actuating the breech bloclc ing upon said extractor and through the same upon the breech block and operatin through the breech block upon the barre extractor and alsooperate the breech block 'and also operate the, barrel sliding in eonnection-with the breech block.

11. The combination-of a casing, a sliding barrel, a breech block. sliding with and independently of the barrel, an extractor pivoted to the breech block and having an arm beand bearing against said arm of the extractor, and a guide pin for sa1d spring protrudin when the spring is contracted through the opening in the extractor arm.

12. .The' combination of asliding barrel, a

. casin having a lateral recess alongside the barre, a latch pivoted between its ends to the barrel opposite the casing recess and having its front end spring-into engagement with the front wall of said recess when'the barrel is in its rearinost position, and the breech block operating when advanced upon the rear end of the latch to release its front end from such engagement, substantially as set forth. x

13. The combination with the breech block and an extractor, of the breech block spring,

'and aguide pin ,for said spring; protruding 'through the breechblock when the latter is retracted whereby the said guide pin may operate to deflect or eject a shell.

14. The combination of the casing, the back plug fitted removably thereto, abreech block, an extractor carried by the breech block, a spring operating the extractor and casing, having its rear end split or breech bloekgand a pin guiding said spring and carried by the back plug whereby it may be applied and removed therewith, said pin protruding forwardly; beyond the breech block when the latter is retracted whereby it may operate to deflect an ejected shell.

15. The combination of the casing, a sliding barrel, a back plug in the casing, a

breech block,- an extractor pivoted to the forming opposite spaced apart jaws adapted to receive the back plug and to be contracted thereupon and an operating device between said jaws.

17. The eombinationof a casing having its rear end split or divided, forming opposite spaced apart jaws, a back plug, and a cross pin connecting said jaws and threaded in one of same, whereby the pin ma be turned to contract the divided end 0 the casing to grip the back plug. I

divided,

, 18. The combination of a casing, a safety a lever having an undercut opening or seat for a pivot pin, and a pivot pin turning in the casing and within the undercut opening of the safety lever, whereby it may be adjusted to position to secure the safety leveror permit the application or removal thereof.

19. The combination of a casi'n a safety lever having an opening or seat' or a ivot pin, and a contracted slot leading there rom, and 'a pivot pin turningin the casing and adapte adjusted, to pass through the contracted slot leading thereto. 20. The combination of a casing, a safety lever, and a cross pin movable rotarily in one of said parts, the other of said arts having a seat for the in with a relatlvely cdntracted' opening lea 1n thereto.

to be turned within the opening or seat of the safety lever and when properly 21. The combination 0 a casing having its rear endsplit or -divided, forming 0p-.

posite spaced apart jaws,-a back plug fitting within the rear end of the easing, a cross pin connecting the casing jaws, and threaded into connection withone of said jaws, whereby it may be turned to tighten the jaws, and

a seat for the cross y. contracted opening a safety lever havin pin with a relative leading thereto.

22. The combination of a casing having a 1 sear stop, a safety lever supporting the fir-- ing mechanism, including a hammer and a sear for holding and releasing the same,

such safety iever being movably connected with the casing, whereby it may be moved to 'set the sear into and out/of pos'ition to be stopped by the sear stop of the casing.

23. The combination of a casing having a sear stop a sear, and a safety lever carrying the scar and movable whereby to set the sear into and out of position to be stopped by the sear stop. j

24. The combination of a casing having a sear stop, a safety lever movable relatively to the casing, a. scar supported in the said safety lever and having a forwardly projecting portion resting normall in rear of the sear stop, whereby to be loe ed thereby,

and adapted to be moved by the movement of the safety 'levento a position above the sear stop whereby it will clear the sear stop.

ing the casing upon the back plug.

a 26. The combination of a caslng split or divided forming spaced apart jaws, a back plug fitting within said jaws, and meansfor contracting the jaws upon the back plug.

27.- The combination of a back plug a split casin receiving and contracte upon the said p u? and means for moving the jaws relative yto each other. 30

JOSEPH 'JOACHIM REIFGRABER.

Witnesses:

SOLON C. KEMON, PERRY B. TURPIN. 

